Tomic waits on injured Ebelthite

Bernard hits a forehand return against Joe Sirianni. PHOTO: ELLA LING

An injury to Colin Ebelthite may yet provide a late reprieve for Bernard Tomic in the Australian Open Play-off at Melbourne Park.

Tomic lost to defending champion Joe Sirianni in straight sets this afternoon to miss a berth in Friday’s quarterfinals. But Ebelthite later injured a rib while leading Andrew Thomas 7-5 1-2 and had to retire.

The tournament medical staff will now have to give him a medical clearance to play on Friday, but if he is unable to play, Tomic will replace him in the quarterfinal match-up against Peter Luczak.

The 16-year-old started his match well, before Sirianni ripped a brilliant forehand cross-court to break serve in the fifth game. The teenager had a break-back opportunity in the next game but Sirianni held on, eventually going to win 6-3 6-1.

“He played really well. I thought I started well but didn’t have the strength to match his game,” Tomic said later.

“The last few days I have been really tired, the other matches took their toll, especially the first one. But he’s a great player, hopefully one day I can beat him.”

Tomic was philosophical about the week. “It has been good fun, you get to play some good matches, it is good for the practice and I got to play some good players.”